Abstract:
One cannot really speak of a systematic theology on the subject of atonement
in the patristic writers. Frances Young once said that 'it is in fact
impossible to categorize neatly the thought of the major patristic writers
on the subject of atonement'. She adds that one cannot do justice to the
range of motifs and images that are found in describing the saving and
atoning work of Christ if we merely dismember 'systematic theologies' to
illustrate common soteriological themes. One can only appreciate
patristic views of atonement if one begins by recognizing the multifaceted
unity of imagery that pervades the literature. This then is the goal of
this article: to discuss the rich images which Ps:-Epiphanius uses to describe
the atoning work of Christ.
